capillary interstice

capillary interstice — An interstice small enough to hold water by surface tension at an appreciable height above a free water surface, yet large enough to prevent molecular attraction from extending across the entire opening … Lexicon of Cave and Karst Terminology
capillary action — noun a) The ability of a narrow interstice to draw a liquid due to surface tension upwards against the force of gravity. b) The siphoning of liquid into a joint or void between two adjacent surfaces … Wiktionary

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